First-year Students
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Should I major in biology if I want to go to medical school?
You don't need to major in biology, or any science, if you want to attend medical school. The most important thing is to major in something you enjoy that will capture your interest and keep you motivated. However, there are several pre-requisite courses required by most medical schools that you will need to complete. To learn more about what these required courses are, talk to your pre-health advisor, biology professor, mentor, or contacts at medical schools. You can learn about each medical school's specific admission requirements from the Medical School Admission Requirements (MSAR®) .
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Should I take General Biology, General Chemistry, and Calculus all in my first year?
No, it's definitely not recommended that you take all of these classes in your first year. You have four or five years to complete your pre-med coursework and it's important not to overwhelm yourself early on in the process.
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What classes should I take in my first year that will prepare me for the pre-med track?
If you're strong at college-level math, it is recommended that you take General Chemistry. This is a challenging math-based science course.
If you're strong at college-level English, it is recommended that you take General Biology. This is a course in which there is an enormous amount of reading. It includes all topics from plant biology to the human organ systems.
Taking either General Chemistry or General Biology, instead of both at the same time, will give you time to develop and improve the skill sets you'll need to succeed in your other pre-med classes. If you're nervous about your math skills, take a more introductory math course and consider going in for tutoring. If you're unsure about your reading and writing skills, take advantage of your freshman English course to further develop in these areas. In addition, a lot of campuses have a learning or academic resource center that can be a source of support and extra instruction for you.
Identifying where your strengths and weaknesses are, and figuring out what you can do to improve, are important parts of academic success and, ultimately, to becoming a good physician.
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What should I do if I start to slip in my classes?
First of all, don't panic. Colleges have a number of learning resources for you, such as tutoring, professor office hours, and study groups. It's important to seek these services out in order to get ahead and not fall behind.
It's also important to go for help when you first think you're in trouble. Don't wait until it's too late to salvage the course for that semester. If you're nervous about a class from the beginning, seek out classmates and form a study group. Start going to the instructor's office hours regularly at the beginning of the semester so he or she knows you're working hard and committed to doing well. And you can always get a head start by going to tutoring as soon as your class starts. All of these things will help reinforce what you're learning in class and also give you several opportunities to ask questions and get clarification on different points.
One of the biggest challenges for college students is balancing extracurricular activities, a job, and free time with study time. Make a daily checklist and schedule for yourself so that you can accomplish daily academic goals. You can always work with your pre-health or academic advisor to help figure out a system that works best for you and your learning style. You might also want to see if your college offers study skills and time management classes. These classes are often offered for free and can help you figure out different strategies for structuring your time and making most out of your study sessions. The time management and learning strategies you develop as an undergrad will also be a great help to you when you're in medical school and also a practicing doctor.
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I'm interested in medicine, but I haven't been exposed to the medical field. How do to get more exposure?
There are lots of different opportunities out there for you to explore. Check out a nearby hospital or community clinic for volunteer options or physician shadowing. Get involved with pre-med student organizations that provide its members special volunteer opportunities and information on medical school and becoming a doctor.
If you're interested in research, seek out research labs around your college. Use your college's web site to identify faculty members and scientists who are doing research in areas you find interesting and contact them. A lot of labs are happy to bring in undergraduate students.
There are many summer programs around the country where you can gain clinical or research experience. Check out the Summer Medical and Dental Education Program , or search the AAMC's summer program database .
However, even though getting the medical experience is essential, don't let it interfere with your coursework. This is another case where time management and working with your advisor are incredibly important.
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